Notice to Business and Residents

EMWD calls for voluntary 10 percent water reduction

Customers encouraged to reduce water usage by 20 gallons per person per day

Eastern Municipal Water District’s board of directors on Wednesday approved and authorized implementing Stage One of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan (Ordinance no. 117.1), urging residents and businesses to voluntarily cut water use by 10 percent, or about 20 gallons per person per day.

Continued drought and regulatory cutbacks on imported supplies from Northern California further contribute to the need to take proactive measures to ensure enough water to meet the basic needs of existing customers.  Through efficient water use – especially in the landscape – the public may be able to help stretch water supplies and prevent the need for implementing Stage Two, which calls for mandatory restrictions and potential penalties.

No dramatic changes in lifestyles are requested at this time. But, according to David J. Slawson, EMWD board president, most people can easily stop using 20 gallons a day just from eliminating water waste. “If each household in EMWD’s service area really got behind this request, not only would they help us get through this potential water shortage, they could each save about $50 a year. For many families, that’s like getting one month’s water for free.”
EMWD recommends reducing water waste as follows:

1. Do not hose down driveways or any other hard surfaces except for health or sanitary reasons. Use a broom or blower instead. (Saves 8 - 18 gallons per minute)

2. Irrigate lawns and landscape only between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. (unless hand watering). Adjust automatic timer clocks accordingly. (Saves 20 - 25 gallons per day)

3. Adjust and operate all landscape irrigation systems in a manner that will maximize irrigation efficiency and avoid over watering or watering of hardscape and the resulting runoff. (Saves 15 – 25 gallons for each minute; up to 250 gallons per cycle)

4. Refrain from using decorative fountains unless they are equipped with a recycling system.

5. Where possible, install pool and spa covers to minimize water loss due to evaporation. (Saves 30 gallons per day)

6. Do not allow hoses to run while washing vehicles.  Use a bucket or a hose with an automatic shutoff valve. (Saves 8 - 18 gallons per minute)

 
Various responses to drought or emergencies are described in EMWD’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan (Ordinance No. 117.1, http://www.emwd.org/news/ordinances/ord_117.1.pdf). They are intended to avoid or defer the need for rationing community water supplies, while preserving some latitude of choice with respect to how much potable water individual customers use.

In the meantime, other conservation plans are already underway, including imported water reductions for agriculture beginning in 2008 and the elimination of underground water banking programs.

For more information, tips, workshops, and rebates, log onto  http://www.emwd.org/conservation/.

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EMWD is the freshwater, wastewater service and recycled water provider to a 555-square mile area from Moreno Valley southward along the I-215 corridor to Temecula and eastward to Hemet and San Jacinto. Approximately 660,000 people live and work in this area. In addition to its own water customers, EMWD supplements water to eight local water agencies and municipalities that have their own water departments. Nearly 80%t of the freshwater supplied by EMWD comes from imported sources. EMWD operates four water reclamation facilities and treats some 45 million gallons of wastewater daily. More information can be found at EMWD’s web site www.emwd.org.